When Should You Hire a Public Adjuster?

Short Answer: The Sooner, the Better.

 The truth is, most policyholders don’t even know what a Public Adjuster (PA) is until they’re knee deep in a claim and often, already in trouble. So, let us answer the question directly:

 When should you hire a Public Adjuster?

 Ideally, at the very beginning of the claim. But even if you are already partway through—or at the bitter end—it’s still better to bring in a PA than to go alone. 

 Why the Beginning Is Best

 Hiring a Public Adjuster from the outset gives you the strategic advantage. When a PA is retained at the start, the insurance company takes notice. Claims submitted with representation are flagged as high reserve cases, meaning the insurer sets aside more money from the start. It is simple psychology: the carrier knows it’s dealing with a professional. You are no longer an amateur in their playground.

 Insurance companies divide claims into two categories:

·         Represented Claims   (with a PA or attorney)

·         Unrepresented Claims   (homeowners filing solo)

 Guess which stack gets paid faster, fuller, and with fewer games?

Insurers are skilled at underpaying, denying, or delaying claims for unrepresented policyholders. It is not personal, it’s profit. They know most homeowners are unfamiliar with the complex policy language, claim documentation standards, and negotiation tactics that carriers exploit daily. It is like showing up to a heavyweight title fight with no gloves.

As the saying goes, “The fox shouldn’t guard the henhouse."   Filing a claim on your own is exactly that: letting the fox—your insurance company—decide what happens to your home, your rights, and your recovery.

What Does a Public Adjuster Actually Do?

A qualified PA will:

Review your policy and interpret coverage

Accurately assess all damages (even the hidden ones)

Prepare a professional claim package

Negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf

Prevent predatory contracts and ensure you’re not taken advantage of by third parties

Think of it like hiring a mechanic for a blown engine. You would not try to swap it yourself after watching YouTube videos. Why risk that with your home—which is likely your most valuable asset.

Common Pitfalls When Homeowners Wait Too Long

Many homeowners wait until they are denied, underpaid, or buried in paperwork. By then, damage is done—not just to the property, but to the claim’s legal and financial structure.

Real examples from our files at VIP Adjusting that happened prior to our involvement :

1. Mislabeled Claims:   

A homeowner described a pipe break as a "flood." The desk adjuster denied the claim outright, "We don’t cover floods." Only later did they call us. We corrected the terminology: it was a pressurized pipe break, a covered loss. But precious time was lost, and payment was delayed.

2. Bad Contracts:   

One client signed a mitigation contract without reading the fine print. The contractor was assigned the entire insurance payout and only performed partial dry out work. When the client called us, they were stuck. We helped to untangle it, but the damage could have been prevented.

3. Storage Hostage:   

Another homeowner had their contents removed for safekeeping. When they tried to retrieve them, they were hit with a massive bill they could not afford. Their possessions were held hostage. We intervened, but again—had we been involved from day one, we could have steered them away from such predatory practices.

Your Advocate from Start to Finish

At VIP Adjusting, we are loyal only to you—the policyholder. We don’t work for insurance companies. Our compensation is based entirely on your success. We help manage the entire claims process, ensuring you don’t sign risky contracts, get cornered by adjuster tactics, or accept lowball offers.

We have in-house specialists that reviews contracts and provides protection for our clients. That is not typical, but then again, neither is VIP Adjusting.

 So, When Should You Hire a PA?

Right away!

If that ship has sailed, hire one now. Whether you are just starting, halfway through, or stuck after a denial, it’s never too late to fight back.

Let us protect what matters. Let us hold their feet to the fire.

VIP Adjusting – Because You're a Very Important Policyholder. 

Call us at 833-WITH-VIP

With multiple offices including Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, St Petersburg, Jupiter, FL — Serving All of Palm Beach County and the entire State of Florida, we have you covered.

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